Paging extension for enhanced coverage global system for mobile (EC-GSM)

ABSTRACT

A radio access network (RAN) node, a wireless device and various methods are described herein for managing paging bandwidth. In one embodiment, the RAN node transmits a message (e.g., paging message, assignment message) to wireless devices, where the message comprises at least the following: (i) a page mode field which includes information indicating one or more coverage classes for which one or more paging messages were available for transmission during a time interval but were not transmitted to a plurality of wireless devices; and (ii) a used_downlink_coverage_class field which includes information indicating a coverage class associated with the transmitted message.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/716,327 filed on Sep. 26, 2017, now pending,which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/098,212 filed on Apr. 13, 2016, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,301 onOct. 10, 2017, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/147,527, filed on Apr. 14, 2015. The entirecontents of each of these applications are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the wireless communicationsfield and, more particularly, to a radio access network node, a wirelessdevice and various methods for managing paging bandwidth.

BACKGROUND

The following abbreviations and terms are herewith defined, at leastsome of which are referred to within the following description of thepresent disclosure.

3GPP 3rd-Generation Partnership Project AGCH Access Grant Channel ASICApplication Specific Integrated Circuit BLER Block Error Rate BSS BaseStation Subsystem CC Coverage Class CIoT Cellular Internet of Things CNCore Network DRX Discontinuous Receive Cycle EC-AGCH Extended CoverageAccess Grant Channel EC-GSM Extended Coverage Global System for MobileCommunications EC-PCH Extended Coverage Paging Channel eDRX ExtendedDiscontinuous Receive Cycle eNB Evolved Node B DSP Digital SignalProcessor EDGE Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution EGPRS EnhancedGeneral Packet Radio Service FS Feasibility Study GSM Global System forMobile Communications GERAN GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network GPRS GeneralPacket Radio Service HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request IE InformationElement IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity IoT Internet ofThings LC Low Complexity LTE Long-Term Evolution MCS Modulation andCoding Scheme MF Multiframe MME Mobility Management Entity MS MobileStation MTC Machine Type Communications NB Node B PCH Paging Channel PDNPacket Data Network PDTCH Packet Data Traffic Channel P-TMSI PacketTemporary Mobile Subscriber Identity RACH Random Access Channel RANRadio Access Network RAT Radio Access Technology SGSN Serving GPRSSupport Node TBF Temporary Block Flow TDMA Time Division Multiple AccessTSG Technical Specifications Group UE User Equipment WCDMA Wideband CodeDivision Multiple Access WiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess

Internet of Things (IoT) devices: The Internet of Things (IoT) is thenetwork of physical objects or “things” embedded with electronics,software, sensors, and connectivity to enable objects to exchange datawith the manufacturer, operator and/or other connected devices based onthe infrastructure of the International Telecommunication Union's GlobalStandards Initiative. The Internet of Things allows objects to be sensedand controlled remotely across existing network infrastructure creatingopportunities for more direct integration between the physical world andcomputer-based systems, and resulting in improved efficiency, accuracyand economic benefit. Each thing is uniquely identifiable through itsembedded computing system but is able to interoperate within theexisting Internet infrastructure. Experts estimate that the IoT willconsist of almost 50 billion objects by 2020.

Cellular Internet of Things (IoT) devices: CIoT devices are IoT devicesthat establish connectivity using cellular networks.

Coverage Class (CC): At any point in time a wireless device belongs to aspecific uplink/downlink coverage class that corresponds to either thelegacy radio interface performance attributes that serve as thereference coverage for legacy cell planning (e.g., a Block Error Rate of10% after a single radio block transmission on the PDTCH) or a range ofradio interface performance attributes degraded compared to thereference coverage (e.g., up to 20 dB lower performance than that of thereference coverage). Coverage class determines the total number of blindtransmissions to be used when transmitting/receiving radio blocks. Anuplink/downlink coverage class applicable at any point in time candiffer between different logical channels. Upon initiating a systemaccess a wireless device determines the uplink/downlink coverage classapplicable to the RACH/AGCH based on estimating the number of blindtransmissions of a radio block needed by the BSS (radio access networknode) receiver/wireless device receiver to experience a BLER (blockerror rate) of approximately 20%. The BSS determines the uplink/downlinkcoverage class to be used by a wireless device on the assigned packetchannel resources based on estimating the number of blind transmissionsof a radio block needed to satisfy a target BLER and considering thenumber of HARQ retransmissions (of a radio block) that will, on average,be needed for successful reception of a radio block using that targetBLER. Note: a wireless device operating with radio interface performanceattributes corresponding to the reference coverage (normal coverage) isconsidered to be in the best coverage class (i.e., coverage class 1) andtherefore makes a single blind transmission. In this case, the wirelessdevice may be referred to as a normal coverage wireless device. Incontrast, a wireless device operating with radio interface performanceattributes corresponding to an extended coverage (i.e., coverage classgreater than 1) makes multiple blind transmissions. In this case, thewireless device may be referred to as an extended coverage wirelessdevice.

eDRX: Extended Discontinuous Receive Cycle (eDRX), also labelled aseDiscontinuous reception, is a process of a wireless device disablingits ability to receive when it does not expect to receive incomingmessages and enabling its ability to receive during a period ofreachability when it anticipates the possibility of message reception.For eDRX to operate, the network coordinates with the wireless deviceregarding when instances of reachability are to occur. The wirelessdevice will therefore wake up and enable message reception only duringpre-scheduled periods of reachability. This process reduces the powerconsumption which extends the battery life of the wireless device and issometimes called (deep) sleep mode.

Extended Coverage: The general principle of extended coverage is that ofusing blind transmissions for the control channels and for the datachannels. In addition, for the data channels the use of blindtransmissions assuming MCS-1 (i.e., the lowest modulation and codingscheme (MCS) supported in EGPRS today) is combined with HARQretransmissions to realize the needed level of data transmissionperformance. Support for extended coverage is realized by definingdifferent coverage classes. A different number of blind transmissionsare associated with each of the coverage classes wherein extendedcoverage is associated with coverage classes for which multiple blindtransmissions are needed (i.e., a single blind transmission isconsidered as the reference coverage). The number of total blindtransmissions for a given coverage class can differ between differentlogical channels.

Nominal Paging Group: The specific set of EC-PCH blocks a devicemonitors once per eDRX cycle. The device determines this specific set ofEC-PCH blocks using an algorithm that takes into account its IMSI, itseDRX cycle length and its downlink coverage class.

The 3GPP TSG-GERAN Ad Hoc#1 on FS_IoT_LC Tdoc GPC150055, entitled“EC-GSM—Mapping of Logical Channels onto Physical Channels”, dated Feb.2-5, 2015 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes) disclosed that the extended coverage requirements forCellular Internet of Things (CIoT) devices can be realized on the EC-PCHby using a new 2-burst EC-PCH radio block, where the number of EC-PCHradio blocks needed to send an EC-PCH message depends on the coveragesituation for the device, and thus, how many times the EC-PCH messageneeds to be repeated in order to reach the needed coverage extension.The number of EC-PCH radio blocks needed to send the required number ofblind transmissions of an EC-PCH message ranges from 1, for devices(wireless devices) in the best (e.g., lowest) coverage class, to 32, fordevices in the worst (e.g., highest) coverage class, due to thedifferent amount of repetitions that are used when transmitting themessage. Each EC-PCH message is contained within a single EC-PCH radioblock, which will include space for up to 88 bits of payload. FIG. 1(PRIOR ART) is a diagram that illustrates the EC-PCH mapping for devices(wireless devices) in the best (e.g., lowest) coverage class CC1 whichrequires 1 message (one 2-burst EC-PCH radio block), coverage class CC2which requires two messages (two 2-burst EC-PCH radio blocks), coverageclass CC3 which requires four messages (four 2-burst EC-PCH radioblocks), coverage class CC4 which requires eight messages (eight 2-burstEC-PCH radio blocks), coverage class CC5 which requires 16 messages (162-burst EC-PCH radio blocks), and coverage class CC6 which requires 32messages (32 2-burst EC-PCH radio blocks) where CC6 is the worst (e.g.,highest) coverage class.

The traditional methods for PCH bandwidth management (not EC-PCHbandwidth management) are based on the assumption that all devices(wireless devices) are of the same coverage class, which means that eachnominal paging group is based on the transmission of a single PCHmessage that is sent using a 4-burst radio block. In addition, thetraditional methods are based on the assumption that all devices(wireless devices) in the same serving cell make use of the sameDiscontinuous Receive (DRX) cycle length. This means that even if adevice fails to read a message (e.g., a PCH or AGCH message) when thedevice wakes-up according to its nominal paging group, the device willhave another opportunity to attempt message reception in the near future(i.e., a few seconds later). The traditional BSS therefore employs a PCHbandwidth management method that is based on these two key assumptions,neither of which is applicable to an Extended Coverage GSM (EC-GSM)system, where devices (wireless devices) may operate in differentcoverage classes and may make use of different eDRX cycle lengths. Inthe EC-GSM system, the bandwidth available for sending EC-PCH messagesper the standardized 51-multiframe is limited due to the need for a BSSto also send EC-AGCH messages which also use different coverage classes.This bandwidth problem associated with EC-PCH and EC-AGCH resourcemanagement is addressed by the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

A radio access network (RAN) node (e.g., BSS, NodeB, eNodeB), a wirelessdevice (e.g., MS, CIoT device) and various methods for addressing theaforementioned problem are described in the independent claims.Advantageous embodiments of the radio access network (RAN) node (e.g.,BSS, NodeB, eNodeB), the wireless device (e.g., MS, CIoT device) and thevarious methods are further described in the dependent claims.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a RAN node configured tointeract with a plurality of wireless devices. The RAN node comprises aprocessor and a memory that stores processor-executable instructions,wherein the processor interfaces with the memory to execute theprocessor-executable instructions, whereby the RAN node is operable toperform a transmit operation. In the transmit operation, the RAN nodetransmits to the plurality of wireless devices a message during a timeinterval, where the message comprises at least the following: (i) a pagemode field which includes information indicating one or more coverageclasses for which one or more paging messages were available fortransmission during the time interval but were not transmitted to theplurality of wireless devices; and (ii) a used_downlink_coverage_classfield which includes information indicating a coverage class associatedwith the transmitted message. An advantage of the RAN node implementingthis operation is that it helps address a bandwidth problem associatedwith EC-PCH and EC-AGCH resource management in a wireless communicationnetwork.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method in a RANnode configured to interact with a plurality of wireless devices. Themethod comprises a transmitting step. In the transmitting step, the RANnode transmits to the plurality of wireless devices a message during atime interval, where the message comprises at least the following: (i) apage mode field which includes information indicating one or morecoverage classes for which one or more paging messages were availablefor transmission during the time interval but were not transmitted tothe plurality of wireless devices; and (ii) aused_downlink_coverage_class field which includes information indicatinga coverage class associated with the transmitted message. An advantageof the RAN node implementing this step is that it helps address abandwidth problem associated with EC-PCH and EC-AGCH resource managementin a wireless communication network.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a wireless deviceconfigured to interact with a RAN node. The wireless device comprises aprocessor and a memory that stores processor-executable instructions,wherein the processor interfaces with the memory to execute theprocessor-executable instructions, whereby the wireless device isoperable to perform a receive operation. In the receive operation, thewireless device receives from the RAN node a message over a timeinterval, where the message comprises at least the following: (i) a pagemode field which includes information indicating one or more coverageclasses for which one or more paging messages were available fortransmission by the RAN node during the time interval but were nottransmitted; and (ii) a used_downlink_coverage_class field whichincludes information indicating a coverage class associated with one ormore wireless devices addressed in the received message. An advantage ofthe wireless device implementing this operation is that it helps addressa bandwidth problem associated with EC-PCH and EC-AGCH resourcemanagement in a wireless communication network.

In still yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides method in awireless device configured to interact with a RAN node. The methodcomprises a receiving step. In the receiving step, the wireless devicereceives from the RAN node a message over a time interval, where themessage comprises at least the following: (i) a page mode field whichincludes information indicating one or more coverage classes for whichone or more paging messages were available for transmission by the RANnode during the time interval but were not transmitted; and (ii) aused_downlink_coverage_class field which includes information indicatinga coverage class associated with one or more wireless devices addressedin the received message. An advantage of the wireless deviceimplementing this step is that it helps address a bandwidth problemassociated with EC-PCH and EC-AGCH resource management in a wirelesscommunication network.

Additional aspects of the present disclosure will be set forth, in part,in the detailed description, figures and any claims which follow, and inpart will be derived from the detailed description, or can be learned bypractice of the invention. It is to be understood that both theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be obtainedby reference to the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) is a diagram that illustrates the EC-PCH mapping forwireless devices associated with CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, CC5 and CC6;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication network whichincludes a CN node, multiple RAN nodes, and multiple wireless deviceswhich are configured in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the various information elements (IE)for an exemplary EC-PCH paging message configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the various information elements (IE)for an exemplary EC-AGCH message configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a basic method implemented in the RAN node inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a basic structure of the RAN nodeconfigured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a more detailed method implemented in the RANnode in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a more detailed structure of theRAN node configured in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method implemented in the wireless device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and,

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of thewireless device configured in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A discussion is provided first herein to describe an exemplary wirelesscommunication network that includes a CN node (e.g., SGSN, MME),multiple RAN nodes (e.g., BSSs, NodeBs, eNodeBs), and multiple wirelessdevices (e.g., MSs, CIoT devices) in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure (see FIG. 1). Then, a discussion is provided todisclose different techniques that the RAN node can use to effectivelymanage EC-PCH and EC-AGCH resources in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure (see FIGS. 2-4). Thereafter, adiscussion is provided to explain the basicfunctionalities-configurations of the RAN node (e.g., BSS, NodeB,eNodeB) and the wireless device (e.g., MS, CIoT device) in accordancewith different embodiments of the present disclosure (see FIGS. 5-11).

Exemplary Wireless Communication Network 200

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an exemplary wirelesscommunication network 200 in accordance with the present disclosure. Thewireless communication network 200 includes a core network 206 (whichcomprises at least one CN node 207 ₁) and multiple RAN nodes 202 ₁ and202 ₂ (only two shown) which interface with multiple wireless devices204 ₁, 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n). Thewireless communication network 200 also includes many well-knowncomponents, but for clarity, only the components needed to describe thefeatures of the present disclosure are described herein. Further, thewireless communication network 200 is described herein as being aGSM/EGPRS wireless communication network 200 which is also known as anEDGE wireless communication network 200. However, those skilled in theart will readily appreciate that the techniques of the presentdisclosure which are applied to the GSM/EGPRS wireless communicationnetwork 200 are generally applicable to other types of wirelesscommunication systems, including, for example, WCDMA, LTE, and WiMAXsystems.

The wireless communication network 200 includes the RAN nodes 202 ₁ and202 ₂ (wireless access nodes—only two shown) which provide networkaccess to the wireless devices 204 ₁, 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆,204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n). In this example, the RAN node 202 ₁ is providingnetwork access to wireless device 204 ₁ while the RAN node 202 ₂ isproviding network access to wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅,204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n). The RAN nodes 202 ₁ and 202 ₂ are connectedto the core network 206 (e.g., SGSN core network 206) and, inparticular, to the CN node 207 (e.g., SGSN 207). The core network 206 isconnected to an external packet data network (PDN) 208, such as theInternet, and a server 210 (only one shown). The wireless devices 204 ₁,204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) may communicatewith one or more servers 210 (only one shown) connected to the corenetwork 206 and/or the PDN 208.

The wireless devices 204 ₁, 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . .. 204 _(n) may refer generally to an end terminal (user) that attachesto the wireless communication network 200, and may refer to either a MTCdevice (e.g., a smart meter) or a non-MTC device. Further, the term“wireless device” is generally intended to be synonymous with the termmobile device, mobile station (MS). “User Equipment,” or UE, as thatterm is used by 3GPP, and includes standalone wireless devices, such asterminals, cell phones, smart phones, tablets, cellular IoT devices, IoTdevices, and wireless-equipped personal digital assistants, as well aswireless cards or modules that are designed for attachment to orinsertion into another electronic device, such as a personal computer,electrical meter, etc.

Likewise, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term RANnode 202 ₁ and 202 ₂ (wireless access node 202 ₁ and 202 ₂) is usedherein in the most general sense to refer to a base station, a wirelessaccess node, or a wireless access point in a wireless communicationnetwork 200, and may refer to RAN nodes 202 ₁ and 202 ₂ that arecontrolled by a physically distinct radio network controller as well asto more autonomous access points, such as the so-called evolved Node Bs(eNodeBs) in Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks.

Each wireless device 204 ₁, 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . .. 204 _(n) may include a transceiver circuit 210 ₁, 210 ₂, 210 ₃, 210 ₄,210 ₅, 210 ₆, 210 ₇ . . . 210 _(n) for communicating with the RAN nodes202 ₁ and 202 ₂, and a processing circuit 212 ₁, 212 ₂, 212 ₃, 212 ₄,212 ₅, 212 ₆, 212 ₇ . . . 212 _(n) for processing signals transmittedfrom and received by the transceiver circuit 210 ₁, 210 ₂, 210 ₃, 210 ₄,210 ₅, 210 ₆, 210 ₇ . . . 210 _(n) and for controlling the operation ofthe corresponding wireless device 204 ₁, 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n). The transceiver circuit 210 ₁, 210 ₂, 210 ₃,210 ₄, 210 ₅, 210 ₆, 210 ₇ . . . 210 _(n) may include a transmitter 214₁, 214 ₂, 214 ₃, 214 ₄, 214 ₅, 214 ₆, 214 ₇ . . . 214 _(n) and areceiver 216 ₁, 216 ₂, 216 ₃, 216 ₄, 216 ₅, 216 ₆, 216 ₇ . . . 216 _(n),which may operate according to any standard, e.g., the GSM/EDGEstandard. The processing circuit 212 ₁, 212 ₂, 212 ₃, 212 ₄, 212 ₅, 212₆, 212 ₇ . . . 212 _(n) may include a processor 218 ₁, 218 ₂, 218 ₃, 218₄, 218 ₅, 218 ₆, 218 ₇ . . . 218 _(n) and a memory 220 ₁, 220 ₂, 220 ₃,220 ₄, 220 ₅, 220 ₆, 220 ₇ . . . 220 _(n) for storing program code forcontrolling the operation of the corresponding wireless device 204 ₁,204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n). The programcode may include code for performing the procedures as describedhereinafter with respect to FIG. 9.

Each RAN node 202 ₁ and 202 ₂ (wireless access node 202 ₁ and 202 ₂) mayinclude a transceiver circuit 222 ₁ and 222 ₂ for communicating withwireless devices 204 ₁, 204 ₂, 204 ₃ . . . 204 _(n), a processingcircuit 224 ₁ and 224 ₂ for processing signals transmitted from andreceived by the transceiver circuit 222 ₁ and 222 ₂ and for controllingthe operation of the corresponding RAN node 202 ₁ and 202 ₂, and anetwork interface 226 ₁ and 226 ₂ for communicating with the corenetwork 206. The transceiver circuit 222 ₁ and 222 ₂ may include atransmitter 228 ₁ and 228 ₂ and a receiver 230 ₁ and 230 ₂, which mayoperate according to any standard, e.g., the GSM/EDGE standard. Theprocessing circuit 224 ₁ and 224 ₂ may include a processor 232 ₁ and 232₂, and a memory 234 ₁ and 234 ₂ for storing program code for controllingthe operation of the corresponding RAN node 202 ₁ and 202 ₂. The programcode may include code for performing the procedures as describedhereinafter with respect to FIGS. 5 and 7.

The CN node 207 (e.g., SGSN 207, MME 207) may include a transceivercircuit 236 for communicating with the RAN nodes 202 ₁ and 202 ₂, aprocessing circuit 238 for processing signals transmitted from andreceived by the transceiver circuit 236 and for controlling theoperation of the CN node 207, and a network interface 240 forcommunicating with the RAN nodes 202 ₁ and 202 ₂. The transceivercircuit 236 may include a transmitter 242 and a receiver 244, which mayoperate according to any standard, e.g., the GSM/EDGE standard. Theprocessing circuit 238 may include a processor 246 and a memory 248 forstoring program code for controlling the operation of the CN node 207.The program code may include code for performing the procedures asdescribed hereinafter.

RAN Node 202 ₂'s Management of EC-PCH and EC-AGCH Resources

As discussed above, the traditional BSS (traditional RAN node) employs aPCH bandwidth management strategy that is based on two key assumptions:(1) that all wireless devices are of the same coverage class, and (2)that all wireless devices in the same serving cell make use of the sameDRX cycle length. Neither of these two key assumptions is applicable tothe EC-GSM system, where wireless devices 204 ₁, 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄,204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) may operate in different coverageclasses and may make use of different eDRX cycle lengths. As such, a newmethod is needed and described herein regarding how the BSS 202 ₂ (note:the BSS 202 ₁ plus other BSSs would operate in same manner) manage theEC-PCH bandwidth available within any given serving cell supportingEC-GSM operation considering that:

-   -   EC-PCH messages 252 and EC-AGCH messages 254 may be available        for transmission to the wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄,        204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) at the same time.    -   EC-PCH messages 252 available for wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃,        204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) of different coverage        classes may be available for transmission at the same time.    -   EC-AGCH messages 254 available for wireless devices 204 ₂, 204        ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) of different        coverage classes may be available for transmission at the same        time.    -   An EC-GSM wireless device 204 ₂ (for example) that wakes up        according to its nominal paging group may be unable to        successfully read a message 252 or 254 (e.g., an EC-PCH message        252 or EC-AGCH message 254) therein if the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN        node 202 ₂) has used at least a portion of that bandwidth to        send a message 252 or 254 to another wireless device 204 ₃ (for        example) of a lower coverage class.    -   An EC-GSM wireless device 204 ₂ (for example) that experiences        multiple consecutive failures when attempting to read a message        252 or 254 (according to the EC-GSM wireless device's coverage        class) may unnecessarily invoke processing used to confirm the        suitability of the serving cell from a signal strength        perspective and thereby unnecessarily consume battery energy.

The BSS 202 ₂ (RAN node 202 ₂) can address these challenges byimplementing a new method and using a Page Mode field 251 (or anequivalent RAT specific field) and a used_downlink_coverage_class field253 within EC-PCH messages 252 and EC-AGCH messages 254 to manage thepaging bandwidth to the wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) in extended coverage. The legacy PCH and AGCHmessages contain a Page Mode field but its functionality is differentfrom that described herein for Page Mode field 251 (see discussionbelow). The new method involves the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂)prioritizing the transmission of EC-PCH messages 252 (e.g., pagingmessages 252) to wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204₇ . . . 204 _(n) in extended DRX (eDRX) mode over EC-AGCH messages 254(e.g., Immediate Assignment messages 254), as well as prioritizing thetransmission of paging messages 252 to wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃,204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) in higher coverage classes andprioritizing paging messages 252 to wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) of the same coverage classaccording to eDRX cycle length (e.g., wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) with the longest eDRX cyclelengths are prioritized). The Page Mode field 251 (e.g., 6 bit field) ismodified per the present disclosure to indicate the set of coverageclasses for which paging messages 253 were available during a given timeinterval Y but were not sent due to BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., Node B (NB) 202 ₂,evolved NB (eNB) 202 ₂) making paging message prioritization decisionsapplicable to the time interval Y. The new method also involvesprioritizing the transmission of EC-AGCH messages 254 to wirelessdevices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) inhigher coverage classes when only EC-AGCH messages 254 are available fortransmission (note: there are exceptions to this prioritization asdiscussed below). Further, the new method also involves prioritizing thetransmission of an EC-AGCH message 254 over EC-PCH messages 252 when theEC-AGCH message 254 was previously delayed due to the prioritizeoperation. The new method also has other features described in detailherein after.

The proposed new method for managing the EC-PCH bandwidth provides manybenefits some of which are as follows:

-   -   Prioritizing the transmission of EC-PCH paging messages 252 over        EC-AGCH messages 254 and prioritizing the transmission of        pending EC-PCH paging messages 252 according to coverage class        (i.e., the higher the coverage class, the higher the priority)        allow wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇        . . . 204 _(n) that are unable to receive a valid message within        their nominal paging group to reasonably conclude that there are        no pending EC-PCH messages 252 for their coverage class. Such        wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . .        204 _(n) can therefore go back to sleep according to their eDRX        cycle length without being concerned that an EC-PCH message 252        was missed or that an attempt should be made to read an        additional paging opportunity (according to their coverage        class). In other words, this type of prioritization helps to        minimize the amount of bandwidth monitored (and therefore energy        expended) by EC-GSM wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅,        204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) when they attempt to find a matching        EC-PCH message 252 within their nominal paging group of their        applicable eDRX cycle.    -   Prioritizing the transmission of EC-PCH paging messages 252 over        EC-AGCH messages 254 and prioritizing the transmission of        pending EC-PCH paging messages 252 according to eDRX cycle        length (i.e., the longer the eDRX cycle length, the higher the        priority) allow wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204        ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) that are able to receive a valid message        within their nominal paging group that addresses a different        wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . .        204 _(n) to determine whether or not they should read additional        paging opportunities (according to their coverage class)        occurring shortly after their nominal paging group. In other        words, this type of prioritization helps to satisfy the device        reachability requirement, whereby the network (BSS 202 ₂) should        be able to send an EC-PCH message 252 to a wireless device 204        ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) (regardless        of coverage) once within its applicable eDRX cycle instead of        waiting until the next occurrence of a wireless device's nominal        paging group, which if it had to wait for would substantially        reduce the wireless device reachability performance.    -   Prioritizing the transmission of EC-PCH paging messages 252 over        EC-AGCH messages 254 and prioritizing the transmission of        pending EC-PCH paging messages 252 according to both coverage        class (i.e., the higher the coverage class, the higher the        priority) and eDRX cycle length (i.e., the longer the eDRX cycle        length, the higher the priority) allow the most energy-limited        wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . .        204 _(n) (i.e., the higher the coverage class, the more        energy-limited a wireless device is) to minimize the amount of        bandwidth monitored (and therefore energy expended) in an        attempt to find a matching EC-PCH message 252 within each eDRX        cycle. The most energy-limited wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃,        204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) can also be expected        to have a longer eDRX cycle length. By prioritizing EC-PCH        paging messages 252 according to the eDRX cycle length, the        impact of failing to deliver the EC-PCH paging message 252 which        leads to reduced wireless device reachability performance would        also be minimized.    -   When there are no pending EC-PCH messages 252, then prioritizing        the transmission of pending EC-AGCH messages 254 according to        coverage class (i.e., the higher the coverage class, the higher        the priority) allows the most energy-limited wireless devices        204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) (i.e.,        the higher the coverage class, the more energy-limited a        wireless device is) to minimize the amount of bandwidth        monitored (and therefore energy expended) in an attempt to find        a matching EC-AGCH message 254.

Although the present disclosure is discussed in the context of EC-GSM,the new RAN nodes 202 ₁ and 202 ₂, wireless devices 204 ₁, 204 ₂, 204 ₃,204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) and methods described hereinare not only applicable to EC-GSM but also applicable to any RadioAccess Technology (RAT) where paging messages 252 and assignmentmessages 254 are sent on shared resources to wireless devices indifferent coverage classes which are operating in eDRX mode.

The following is a more detailed discussion about the new methods of thepresent disclosure:

Paging Strategy

While managing the available EC-PCH space (also known as EC-PCHbandwidth or EC-PCH resource), the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂) isconfigured to decide how to prioritize paging messages 252 wheneverthere are more wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇. . . 204 _(n) to page than there is available EC-PCH space. Thisprioritization will therefore necessarily result in some wirelessdevices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) wakingup to read their nominal paging group and not finding a matching pagingmessage. As such, a paging extension feature is disclosed whereby suchwireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n)can wake-up to read their nominal paging group, successfully receive amessage therein addressed to a different wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃,204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n), and use additionalinformation carried within the received message to determine that therewill be another paging opportunity occurring shortly thereafter, whichmay potentially contain a matching paging message. To realize thispaging extension feature, the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂) can applyan EC-AGCH/EC-PCH resource management strategy as described below.

1. Prioritizing EC-PCH Messages 252 Over EC-AGCH Messages 254

If both EC-AGCH and EC-PCH messages 252 and 254 are available fortransmission, then the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂) prioritizes thetransmission of EC-PCH messages 252 over EC-AGCH messages 254:

-   -   This is desirable considering that wireless devices 204 ₂, 204        ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) operating with eDRX        cycles will wake up very infrequently to attempt page reception        using well-defined paging opportunities, whereas such wireless        devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n)        are quite flexible regarding the time period during which they        can receive an expected EC-AGCH message 254.    -   For practical deployments of CIoT wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃,        204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n), it is expected that        the percentage of small data transmissions triggered by paging        will be quite small (e.g., 10%) compared to the percentage of        small data transmissions autonomously triggered by CIoT wireless        devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n).        As such, the additional Temporary Block Flow (TBF) establishment        delay imposed upon CIoT wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄,        204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) expecting an EC-AGCH message        254 can be expected to be quite limited. For example, if small        paging areas are used (e.g., one or two cells may be feasible        for stationary CIoT wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅,        204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n)) then the frequency with which        prioritizing an EC-PCH message 252 over an EC-AGCH message 254        actually occurs may be low compared to the number of times for        which there is no need for such prioritization and as such the        average delay on EC-AGCH message 254 reception can be quite low.        In addition, a CIoT wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅,        204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) expecting a pending EC-AGCH message        254 will not experience a substantial delay even if such        prioritization occurs since a prioritized EC-PCH message 252        will take about one second to transmit in the worst case (i.e.,        for a CIoT wireless device using the highest coverage class).    -   This prioritization strategy does not preclude the possibility        of the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂) sending an EC-AGCH        message 254 even when there are pending EC-PCH messages 252 in        special circumstances, for example, when a wireless devices 204        ₇ (for example) is attempting to send an exception report (e.g.,        an alarm report) and is waiting for a resource assignment.    -   The prioritization strategy regarding whether an EC-PCH message        252 or an EC-AGCH message 254 shall be transmitted can also be        based on the eDRX cycle of the wireless device(s) 204 ₂, 204 ₃,        204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) that is (are)        addressed with the EC-PCH message 252. For example, if the eDRX        cycles associated with a set of one or more wireless devices 204        ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) for which a        paging message 252 is pending is considered short, then the        transmission of the EC-AGCH message 254 could be prioritized        over the transmission of the EC-PCH message 252.        2. Prioritizing EC-PCH Messages 252 Based on Coverage Class

During any given time interval Y, the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂)can prioritize the EC-PCH message 252 transmission based on coverageclass such that wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204₇ . . . 204 _(n) with the highest coverage class are prioritized (i.e.,since these wireless devices are the most power-limited if they do nothave access to commercial power).

-   -   This allows wireless device(s) 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204        ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) of the same coverage class or a better        coverage class (as the wireless device for which EC-PCH message        252 transmission is prioritized) that wake-up to read their        nominal paging group during time interval Y to at least be able        to successfully read a paging message 252 addressed to other        wireless device(s) 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . .        . 204 _(n).    -   The BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂) may include a        USED_DL_COVERAGE_CLASS field 253 (e.g., a 3-bit bitmap) in all        paging messages 252, thereby allowing the wireless devices 204        ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) that are        able to read a paging message 252 to determine the coverage        class of the wireless device(s) 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204        ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) paged during time interval Y, and        therefore the length of time interval Y (i.e., the number of        EC-PCH radio blocks comprising the time interval Y).    -   The BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂) may include a Page Mode        field 251 (e.g., a 6-bit bitmap) in all paging messages 252,        which the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂) uses to indicate the        set of coverage classes for which paging messages 252 were        available for transmission during time interval Y but were not        transmitted due to the BSS's paging message prioritization        decisions.    -   The Page Mode field 251 would therefore allow wireless devices        204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) that        were able to read a paging message 252 during the time interval        Y, but for which no paging message 252 was sent within their        nominal paging group during this time interval Y, to decide if        they should enable the paging extension feature and attempt to        read another paging message 252 shortly after the end of the        time interval Y. As such, based on reading this Page Mode field        251, only wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆,        204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) in a coverage class for which an available        paging message 252 was not sent would enable the paging        extension feature. The wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204        ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) in a coverage class for which        there was no available paging message 252 during time interval Y        can thus avoid reading additional paging messages 252.    -   A wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . .        204 _(n) that decides to enable the paging extension feature        would attempt to read at least one additional paging message 252        according to the wireless device's coverage class, and thereby        avoid having to wait another full eDRX cycle before being able        to receive a paging message 252. Multiple additional attempts to        read a paging message 252 by the wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃,        204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) could be supported by        using this paging extension feature.    -   The specific set of EC-PCH radio blocks used when attempting to        read one additional paging message 252 after the end of the time        interval Y may be determined based on where a wireless device's        nominal paging group occurred within the context of the set of        EC-PCH radio blocks comprising the time interval Y, e.g., as        described below with respect to the Paging Extension Example.        3. Prioritizing EC-PCH Messages 252 Based on eDRX Cycle Length

Prioritizing paging messages 252 for a given coverage class based oneDRX cycle length, such that the wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄,204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) using the longest eDRX cycle areprioritized, helps to keep the delays associated with paging message 252delivery to a minimum (i.e., wireless device reachability performance isimproved).

4. Prioritizing EC-AGCH Messages 254 Based on Coverage Class

When there are no pending EC-PCH messages 252, the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RANnode 202 ₂) can prioritize transmissions of EC-AGCH messages 254 basedon coverage class such that the wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) with the highest coverage class areprioritized (i.e., since these wireless devices are the mostpower-limited if they do not have access to commercial power).

In addition, even if there are one or more pending EC-PCH messages 252then the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂) can prioritize thetransmission of a pending EC-AGCH message 254 if that EC-AGCH message254 has already been deferred one or more times (e.g., in favor ofsending an EC-PCH message 252). If this occurs, then the pagingextension feature would be used by the affected wireless device(s) 204₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) since there will beone or more pending EC-PCH messages 252 that have been pre-empted.Further aspects of this case or other cases where the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g.,RAN node 202 ₂) chooses to prioritize transmission of a pending EC-AGCHmessage 254 when there are one or more pending EC-PCH messages 252 areas follows:

-   -   If an EC-AGCH message 254 is sent over time interval Y, then the        EC-AGCH message 254 can also include a Page Mode field 251, so        that the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂) can inform the        wireless device(s) 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . .        . 204 _(n) that were able to read an EC-AGCH message 254 during        time interval Y about whether the wireless device(s) 204 ₂, 204        ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) should enable the        paging extension feature and attempt to read another paging        message 252 shortly after the end of time interval Y.    -   A wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . .        204 _(n) that decides to enable the paging extension feature        should attempt to read at least one additional paging message        252 according to the wireless device's coverage class, and        thereby avoid having to wait another full eDRX cycle before        being able to receive a page. Multiple additional attempts to        read a paging message 252 could be supported using this paging        extension feature.    -   The BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂) can prioritize the        transmission of EC-AGCH messages 254 to wireless device(s) 204        ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) that have        requested resources for sending an exception report (e.g., an        alarm) in order to minimize the delay in reporting experienced        by these wireless device(s) 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆,        204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n).    -   It is also here proposed that the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202        ₂) transmits the EC-AGCH message 254 in such a way (e.g., by        using the corresponding number of blind transmissions) that        wireless device(s) 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . .        . 204 _(n) in a coverage class, for which there is an available        paging message 252 that cannot be transmitted due to the        transmission of the EC-AGCH message 254, can read the        transmitted EC-AGCH message 254 and understand the Page Mode        field 251. For example, if the EC-AGCH message 254 is sent to a        target wireless device A (e.g., wireless device 204 ₅) in        coverage class 2, thus preventing the transmission of an EC-PCH        paging message 252 to wireless device B (e.g., wireless device        204 ₄) in coverage class 3, the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂)        can send the EC-AGCH message 254 so that wireless devices in        coverage class 3 can also read the EC-AGCH message 254 (even        though strictly speaking, the EC-AGCH message 254 only needs to        be transmitted according to the coverage class of the target        wireless device A). By following this approach, the wireless        device B in coverage class 3 can read the Page Mode field 251 in        the EC-AGCH message 254 to understand that the wireless device B        shall enable the paging extension feature and read an additional        paging message 252.

Alternative Paging Strategy

As an option, a simpler (e.g., shorter) Page Mode field 251 can besupported, wherein less precision regarding which wireless devices 204₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) are to attemptadditional paging message 252 reading is supported. For example, a 3-bitPage Mode field 251 can be used as follows when a total of 6 CoverageClasses (CCs) are supported:

-   -   000: Normal conditions (no paging extension)    -   001: All devices to read an additional paging message    -   010: CC2 and lower read an additional paging message    -   011: CC3 and lower read an additional paging message    -   100: CC4 and CC5 read an additional paging message    -   101: CC4 read an additional paging message    -   110: CC5 read an additional paging message    -   111: CC6 read an additional paging message

Paging Extension Feature Example

An example is considered where the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂)decides to transmit a paging message 252 addressing a wireless device204 ₂ (for example) of coverage class 5 during time interval Y (e.g.,time interval Y includes the 16 EC-PCH radio blocks sent over two51-multiframes, as shown in FIG. 1).

-   -   During this same time interval Y, the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node        202 ₂) has paging messages 252 pending for wireless devices        (e.g., wireless device 204 ₄) (device A) of coverage class 3,        but chooses not to send those pending coverage class 3 paging        messages 252 in order to prioritize the transmission of the        coverage class 5 paging message 252.    -   As can be seen when referring to FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART), there are        four different instances of a nominal paging group corresponding        to coverage class 3 wireless devices 204 ₄ (device As) (i.e., 4        EC-PCH radio blocks per nominal paging group) that can occur        during time interval Y.    -   Each of the 16 EC-PCH radio blocks sent during time interval Y        contains a EC-PCH message 252, which includes per the present        disclosure the USED_DL_COVERAGE_CLASS field 253 that indicates        coverage class 5 (i.e., the paging message 252 addresses a        coverage class 5 wireless device, in this example wireless        device 204 ₂) and the Page Mode field 251 that indicates        coverage class 3 paging messages 252 are pending (e.g., Page        Mode bitmap=001000).    -   Assume wireless device 204 ₃ (device A) of coverage class 3 and        wireless device 204 ₅ (for example) (device B) of coverage class        2 both have a nominal paging group that occurs during time        interval Y, and therefore both device A and device B attempt to        read a paging message during time interval Y.    -   Device A (wireless device 204 ₃) considers the third instance of        the four coverage class 3 specific nominal paging groups        occurring during time interval Y to be device A's nominal paging        group and, as a result of reading the coverage class 5 specific        paging message sent therein, decides to enable the paging        extension feature.    -   Device A (wireless device 204 ₃) therefore reads one additional        paging message in the third coverage class 3 specific nominal        paging group occurring after the end of time interval Y.    -   Based on the values of the Page Mode field 251 and the        USED_DL_COVERAGE_CLASS field 253 included in the additional        paging message 252 read by device A (wireless device 204 ₃),        device A could be subjected to making yet another attempt to        read one additional paging message if device A does not find a        matching paging message 252 in the third coverage class 3        specific nominal paging group occurring after the end of time        interval Y.    -   Device B (wireless device 204 ₅) considers the second instance        of the eight coverage class 2 specific nominal paging groups        occurring during time interval Y to be device B's nominal paging        group and, as a result of reading the coverage class 5 specific        paging message 252 sent therein, the device B (wireless device        204 ₅) decides not to enable the paging extension feature (e.g.,        bit position 2 of the Page Mode bitmap is set to ‘0’ thereby        indicating that coverage class 2 devices need not enable the        paging extension feature).    -   A wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . .        204 _(n) that periodically performs a short synchronization        procedure (e.g., as described in 3GPP TSG-GERAN Meeting #65        GP-150129, entitled “Pseudo CR 45.869—Introduction of Short and        Long Sync Up Procedures”, dated 9^(th) to 13^(th) of March,        2015—the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference        for all purposes) and thereby confirms the suitability of the        current serving cell (i.e., the short synchronization procedure        is performed successfully each time the procedure is invoked)        may reasonably conclude that it need not attempt a cell        re-selection even if it is unable to successfully receive a        message 252 or 254 (e.g., EC-PCH message 252 or EC-AGCH message        254) after N attempts (N≥1) according to the wireless device's        nominal paging group. This is because the wireless device may        reasonably conclude that being unable to read any message 252 or        254 during a limited number of consecutive instances of waking        up to read its nominal paging group (according to its applicable        eDRX cycle) may be due to the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202 ₂)        deciding to send an EC-PCH message 252 for a lower coverage        class wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ .        . . 204 _(n) during the time interval corresponding to each of        these instances of its nominal paging groups.        Modifications to EC-PCH Paging Request Message

The EC-PCH Paging Request message 252 (also referred to as the EC-PCHpaging message 252) may be modified to support a 6-bit Page Mode field(i.e., instead of 2 bits as currently described in 3GPP TechnicalSpecification (TS) 44.018 V12.5.0, entitled “Mobile radio interfacelayer 3 specification; Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol (Release12)” dated Mar. 31, 2015—the contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference for all purposes) as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagramillustrating the various information elements (IE) for an exemplaryEC-PCH paging request message 252 configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. The EC-PCH paging request message252 includes various IEs including the aforementioned Page Mode field251 and the USED_DL_COVERAGE_CLASS field 253. The Page Mode field 251 isused to allow wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇. . . 204 _(n) that are able to read a paging message 252 during theirnominal paging group, but do not detect a matching paging message 252therein, to decide if they should attempt to read another paging message252 after the set of EC-PCH radio blocks used to send the current pagingmessage 252 (determined by the information in the USED_DL_COVERAGE_CLASSfield 253). The decision is based on the coverage class of the wirelessdevice 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) asindicated in the Page Mode IE. In contrast, the legacy Page Mode (PM)field included within legacy PCH and AGCH messages is 2 bits long and iscoded as follows: PM (octet 1)

Bits

-   0 0: Normal paging (no paging extension).-   0 1: Extended paging (read the next but one PCH radio block for a    possible page message).-   1 0: Paging reorganization (re-read system information to see if    there are changes to the number of PCH blocks per 51-multiframe of    the CCCH).-   1 1: Same as before.    NOTE: The value “same as before” has been defined instead of    “reserved” to allow the use of this coding with another meaning in    an upwards compatible way in later phases of the GSM system.

The size of the EC-PCH Paging Request message 252 can vary slightlydepending on if one or two wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅,204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) are paged. In the worst case, when twowireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n)are paged using Packet Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (P-TMSI),the total length will be 81 bits (6+6+3+1+32+1+32), which is below the88-bit size limit of the EC-PCH paging messages 252.

Modifications to EC-AGCH Messages

The EC-AGCH message 254 can also be modified to include a modifiedPaging Mode field 251 to indicate the set of coverage classes for whichEC-PCH messages 252 (paging messages 252) were available during a giventime interval but were not sent due to the BSS 202 ₂ (e.g., RAN node 202₂) decision to prioritize the transmission of an EC-AGCH message 254 toa wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204_(n), e.g., due to the fact that the wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃ . . .204 _(n) is attempting to send an exception report. FIG. 4 is a diagramillustrating the various information elements (IE) for an exemplaryEC-AGCH message 254 configured in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The EC-AGCH message 254 includes various IEsincluding the aforementioned Page Mode field 251 and theUSED_DL_COVERAGE_CLASS field 253.

Basic Functionalities-Configurations of RAN Node 202 ₂ and WirelessDevice 204 ₂ (for Example)

Referring to FIG. 5, there is a flowchart of a method 500 implemented inthe RAN node 202 ₂ (e.g., BSS 202 ₂, NodeB 202 ₂, eNodeB 202 ₂) inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 502,the RAN node 202 ₂ transmits a message 252 or 254 (e.g., paging message252 or assignment message 254) to the wireless 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) during a time interval, where the message252 or 254 comprises at least the following: (i) a page mode field 251which includes information indicating one or more coverage classes forwhich one or more paging messages 252 were available for transmissionduring the time interval but were not transmitted to the wirelessdevices 204 ₂, 204 ₃ . . . 204 _(n); and (ii) aused_downlink_coverage_class field 253 which includes informationindicating a coverage class associated with the transmitted message 252or 254. An exemplary technique that the RAN node 202 ₂ could use todetermine the particular message 252 or 254 to transmit to the wirelessdevices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) isprovided below with respect to FIGS. 7-8.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is a block diagram illustrating structures ofan exemplary RAN node 202 ₂ (for example) configured in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the RAN node202 ₂ comprises a transmit module 602. The transmit module 602 isconfigured to transmit a message 252 or 254 (e.g., paging message 252 orassignment message 254) to the wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) during a time interval, where the message252 or 254 comprises at least the following: (i) a page mode field 251which includes information indicating one or more coverage classes forwhich one or more paging messages 252 were available for transmissionduring the time interval but were not transmitted to the wirelessdevices 204 ₂, 204 ₃ . . . 204 _(n); and (ii) aused_downlink_coverage_class field 253 which includes informationindicating a coverage class associated with the transmitted message 252or 254. Further, it should be noted that the RAN node 1022 may alsoinclude other components, modules or structures which are well-known,but for clarity, only the components, modules or structures needed todescribe the features of the present disclosure are described herein.The other RAN node 202 ₁ can also be configured in a similar manner withthe illustrated structure of the RAN node 202 ₂.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the above-described module602 of the RAN node 202 ₂ (e.g., BSS 202 ₂, NodeB 202 ₂, eNodeB 202 ₂)may be implemented as a dedicated circuit. Further, the module 602 canalso be implemented using any number of dedicated circuits throughfunctional combination or separation. In some embodiments, the module602 may be even implemented by a single application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). As an alternative software-based implementation, the RANnode 202 ₂ may comprise a memory 234 ₂, a processor 232 ₂ (including butnot limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller or a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), etc.) and a transceiver 222 ₂. The memory 234 ₂ storesmachine-readable program code executable by the processor 232 ₂ to causethe RAN node 202 ₂ (e.g., BSS 202 ₂, NodeB 202 ₂, eNodeB 202 ₂) toperform the step of the above-described method 500. It should beappreciated that the other RAN nodes 202 ₁ (for example) can also beconfigured in a similar manner as the RAN node 202 ₂ to perform method500.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is a flowchart of a method 700 implemented inthe RAN node 202 ₂ (e.g., BSS 202 ₂, NodeB 202 ₂, eNodeB 202 ₂) inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 702,the RAN node 202 ₂ determines whether one or more paging messages 252and one or more assignment messages 254 are pending to be transmitted.At step 704, the RAN node 202 ₂ based on the determination of step 702that there is one or more paging messages 252 and one or more assignmentmessages 254 pending to be transmitted (i.e., both paging message(s) 252and assignment message(s) 254 are pending to be transmitted),prioritizes one paging message 252 of the one or more paging messages252 over the one or more assignment messages 254. Further, the RAN node202 ₂ when performing the prioritization step 704 may take into accounta coverage class of one or more of the wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃,204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) addressed by each of the oneor more paging messages 252 such that the one paging message 252 thatwill be transmitted addresses one or more of the wireless devices 204 ₂,204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) (e.g., wireless devices204 ₂ and 204 ₃) that have a higher coverage class (e.g., CC5) than thecoverage classes of one or more of the wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃,204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) (e.g., wireless devices 204 ₄,204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n)) addressed by the other one or morepaging messages 252 (step 704 a). The RAN node 202 ₂ may also take intoaccount an eDRX cycle length of the one or more of the wireless deviceswireless devices 204 ₂ and 204 ₃ (for example) that have the highercoverage class (e.g., CC5) such that the one paging message 252 that istransmitted addresses one or more of the wireless devices 204 ₂ (forexample) that have a longer eDRX cycle length than the eDRX cyclelengths of the remaining one or more of the wireless devices 204 ₃ (forexample) that have the higher coverage class (e.g., CC5) (step 704 b).In addition, the RAN node 202 ₂ when performing the prioritization step704 may be configured such that the one paging message 252 is notprioritized over one assignment message 254 of the one or moreassignment messages 254 when a transmission of the one assignmentmessage 254 to one of the wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅,204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) (e.g., wireless device 204 ₆) was previouslydelayed due to a previous prioritization step 704 (step 704 c).Moreover, the RAN node 202 ₂ when performing the prioritization step 704may be configured such that the one paging message 252 is notprioritized over one assignment message 254 of the one or moreassignment messages 254 when the one assignment message 254 includesresource assignments for one of the wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) (e.g., wireless device 204 ₇) thatis attempting to transmit an exception report (e.g., alarm report) (step704 d). There are other exceptions to the prioritization step 704 asdescribed above where an assignment message 254 can be transmittedbefore a paging message 252.

At step 706, the RAN node 202 ₂ based on the determination of step 702that there are no paging messages 252 and one or more assignmentmessages 254 pending to be transmitted (i.e., only assignment message(s)254 are pending to be transmitted), prioritizes one assignment message254 over the other one or more assignment messages 254. Further, the RANnode 202 ₂ when performing the prioritization step 706 may prioritizeone assignment message 254 of the one or more assignment messages 254such that the one assignment message 254 that is transmitted addressesthe wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204_(n) that has a higher coverage class than the wireless device 204 ₂,204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) addressed by the otherone or more assignment messages 254.

After performing step 704 or step 706, the RAN node 202 ₂ at step 708transmits a message 252 or 254 (e.g., paging message 252 or assignmentmessage 254) to the wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆,204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) during a time interval, where the message 252 or254 comprises at least the following: (i) a page mode field 251 whichincludes information indicating one or more coverage classes for whichone or more paging messages 252 were available for transmission duringthe time interval but were not transmitted to the wireless devices 204₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 n; and (ii) aused_downlink_coverage_class field 253 which includes informationindicating a coverage class associated with the transmitted message 252or 254.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is a block diagram illustrating structures ofan exemplary RAN node 202 ₂ (for example) configured in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the RAN node202 ₂ comprises a determine module 802, a first prioritize module 804, asecond prioritize module 806, and a transmit module 808. The determinemodule 802 is configured to determine whether one or more pagingmessages 252 and one or more assignment messages 254 are pending to betransmitted. The first prioritize module 804 is configured to, based onthe determination by the determination module 802 that there is one ormore paging messages 252 and one or more assignment messages 254 pendingto be transmitted (i.e., both paging message(s) 252 and assignmentmessage(s) 254 are pending to be transmitted), prioritize one pagingmessage 252 of the one or more paging messages 252 over the one or moreassignment messages 254. The first prioritize module 804 may beconfigured to take into account a coverage class of one or more of thewireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n)addressed by each of the one or more paging messages 252 such that theone paging message 252 that will be transmitted addresses one or more ofthe wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204_(n) (e.g., wireless devices 204 ₂ and 204 ₃) that have a highercoverage class (e.g., CC5) than the coverage classes of one or more ofthe wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204_(n) (e.g., wireless devices 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n))addressed by the other one or more paging messages 252. The firstprioritize module 804 may be configured to also take into account aneDRX cycle length of the one or more of the wireless devices wirelessdevices 204 ₂ and 204 ₃ (for example) that have the higher coverageclass (e.g., CC5) such that the one paging message 252 that istransmitted addresses one or more of the wireless devices 204 ₂ (forexample) that have a longer eDRX cycle length than the eDRX cyclelengths of the remaining one or more of the wireless devices 204 ₃ (forexample) that have the higher coverage class (e.g., CC5). In addition,the first prioritize module 804 may be configured such that the onepaging message 252 is not prioritized over one assignment message 254 ofthe one or more assignment messages 254 when a transmission of the oneassignment message 254 to one of the wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) (e.g., wireless device 204 ₆) waspreviously delayed due to a previous prioritization step 704. Moreover,the first prioritize module 804 may be configured such that the onepaging message 252 is not prioritized over one assignment message 254 ofthe one or more assignment messages 254 when the one assignment message254 includes resource assignments for one of the wireless devices 204 ₂,204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) (e.g., wireless device204 ₇) that is attempting to transmit an exception report (e.g., alarmreport).

The second prioritize module 806 is configured to, based on thedetermination by the determination module 802 that there are no pagingmessages 252 and one or more assignment messages 254 pending to betransmitted (i.e., only assignment message(s) 254 are pending to betransmitted), prioritize one assignment message 254 over the other oneor more assignment messages 254. Further, the second prioritize module806 may prioritize the one assignment message 254 of the one or moreassignment messages 254 such that the one assignment message 254 that istransmitted addresses the wireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅,204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) that has a higher coverage class than thewireless device 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n)addressed by the other one or more assignment messages 254.

The transmit module 808 is configured to transmit a message 252 or 254(e.g., paging message 252 or assignment message 254) to the wirelessdevices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) during atime interval, where the message 252 or 254 comprises at least thefollowing: (i) a page mode field 251 which includes informationindicating one or more coverage classes for which one or more pagingmessages 252 were available for transmission during the time intervalbut were not transmitted to the wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄,204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 n; and (ii) a used_downlink_coverage_classfield 253 which includes information indicating a coverage classassociated with the transmitted message 252 or 254. It should be notedthat the RAN node 1022 may also include other components, modules orstructures which are well-known, but for clarity, only the components,modules or structures needed to describe the features of the presentdisclosure are described herein. The other RAN node 202 ₁ can also beconfigured in a similar manner with the illustrated structure of the RANnode 202 ₂.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the above-described modules802, 804, 806, and 808 of the RAN node 202 ₂ (e.g., BSS 202 ₂, NodeB 202₂, eNodeB 202 ₂) may be implemented separately as suitable dedicatedcircuits. Further, the modules 802, 804, 806, and 808 can also beimplemented using any number of dedicated circuits through functionalcombination or separation. In some embodiments, the modules 802, 804,806, and 808 may be even combined in a single application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC). As an alternative software-basedimplementation, the RAN node 202 ₂ may comprise a memory 234 ₂, aprocessor 232 ₂ (including but not limited to a microprocessor, amicrocontroller or a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), etc.) and atransceiver 222 ₂. The memory 234 ₂ stores machine-readable program codeexecutable by the processor 232 ₂ to cause the RAN node 202 ₂ (e.g., BSS202 ₂, NodeB 202 ₂, eNodeB 202 ₂) to perform the steps of theabove-described method 700. It should be appreciated that the other RANnodes 202 ₁ (for example) can also be configured in a similar manner asthe RAN node 202 ₂ to perform method 700.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is a flowchart of a method 900 implemented inthe wireless device 204 ₂ (for example) in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure. At step 902, the wireless device 204 ₂receives a message 252 or 254 (e.g., paging message 252 or assignmentmessage 254) from the RAN node 202 ₂ during a time interval, where themessage 252 or 254 comprises at least the following: (i) a page modefield 251 which includes information indicating one or more coverageclasses for which one or more paging messages 252 were available fortransmission by the RAN node 202 ₂ during the time interval but were nottransmitted; and (ii) a used_downlink_coverage_class field 253 whichincludes information indicating a coverage class associated with the oneor more wireless devices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . .204 _(n) addressed in the received message 252 or 254. At step 904, thewireless device 204 ₂ reads the coverage class indicated in theused_downlink_coverage_class field 253 of the message 252 or 254 todetermine whether the message 252 or 254 is potentially addressed to thewireless device 204 ₂ or to some other wireless devices 204 ₃, 204 ₄,204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n). For example, the wireless device 204₂ to determine if the message 252 or 254 is potentially a paging messageaddressed to it may read the a message type field along with theused_downlink_coverage_class field 253 and if the message type fieldindicates a paging message and the used_downlink_coverage_class field253 indicates the same coverage class as the wireless device 204 ₂ thenthe received message 252 may potentially be a paging message 252addressed to the wireless device 204 ₂. At step 906, the wireless device204 ₂ based on the determination of step 904 that the message 252 or 254is potentially addressed to the wireless device 204 ₂ reads additionalpayload in the received message 252 or 254 (Note: theused_downlink_coverage_class field 253 is part of the message payload).At step 908, the wireless device 204 ₂ based on the determination ofstep 904 that the message 252 or 254 is addressed to some other wirelessdevices 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) reads the oneor more coverage classes indicated by the page mode field 251 todetermine whether a paging message 252 is pending for the coverage classof the wireless device 204 ₂ but has not yet been transmitted by the RANnode 202 ₂. At step 910, the wireless device 204 ₂ based on thedetermination of step 908 that a paging message 252 is pending for thecoverage class of the wireless device 204 ₂ but has not yet beentransmitted by the RAN node 202 ₂ enables a paging extension processwhere the wireless device 204 ₂ is operable to: (i) use the coverageclass indicated in the used_downlink_coverage_class field 253 todetermine a remainder of the time interval associated with the receivedmessage 252 or 254; and (ii) attempt to read the paging message 252 thatwas pending after the time interval. At step 912, the wireless device204 ₂ based on the determination of step 908 that a paging message 252is not pending for the coverage class of the wireless device 204 ₂returns back to sleep and wakes up according to a next instance of anominal paging group of the wireless device 204 ₂.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is a block diagram illustrating structuresof an exemplary wireless device 204 ₂ (for example) configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In oneembodiment, the wireless device 204 ₂ comprises a receive module 1002, afirst read module 1004, a second read module 1006, a third receivemodule 1008, an enable module 1010, and a return module 1012. Thereceive module 1002 is configured to receive a message 252 or 254 (e.g.,paging message 252 or assignment message 254) from the RAN node 202 ₂during a time interval, where the message 252 or 254 comprises at leastthe following: (i) a page mode field 251 which includes informationindicating one or more coverage classes for which one or more pagingmessages 252 were available for transmission by the RAN node 202 ₂during the time interval but were not transmitted; and (ii) aused_downlink_coverage_class field 253 which includes informationindicating a coverage class associated with the one or more wirelessdevices 204 ₂, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n)addressed in the received message 252 or 254. The first read module 1004is configured to read the coverage class indicated in theused_downlink_coverage_class field 253 of the message 252 or 254 todetermine whether the message 252 or 254 is potentially addressed to thewireless device 204 ₂ or to some other wireless devices 204 ₃, 204 ₄,204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n). For example, the first read module1004 in determining if the message 252 or 254 is potentially a pagingmessage addressed to the wireless device 204 ₂ may read the a messagetype field along with the used_downlink_coverage_class field 253 and ifthe message type field indicates a paging message and theused_downlink_coverage_class field 253 indicates the same coverage classas the wireless device 204 ₂ then the received message 252 maypotentially be a paging message 252 addressed to the wireless device 204₂. The second read module 1006 is configured, based on the determinationthat the message 252 or 254 is potentially addressed to the wirelessdevice 204 ₂, to read a payload in the received message 252 or 254. Thethird read module 1008 is configured based on the determination that themessage 252 or 254 is addressed to some other wireless devices 204 ₃,204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) to read the one or morecoverage classes indicated by the page mode field 251 to determinewhether a paging message 252 is pending for the coverage class of thewireless device 204 ₂ but has not yet been transmitted by the RAN node202 ₂. The enable module 1010 is configured, based on the determinationthat a paging message 252 is pending for the coverage class of thewireless device 204 ₂ but has not yet been transmitted by the RAN node202 ₂, to enable a paging extension process where the enable module 1010is further configured to: (i) use the coverage class indicated in theused_downlink_coverage_class field 253 to determine a remainder of thetime interval associated with the received message 252 or 254; and (ii)attempt to read the paging message 252 that was pending after the timeinterval. The return module 1012 is configured based on thedetermination that a paging message 252 is not pending for the coverageclass of the wireless device 204 ₂ to return back to sleep and wakes upaccording to a next instance of a nominal paging group of the wirelessdevice 204 ₂. It should be noted that the wireless device 204 ₂ may alsoinclude other components, modules or structures which are well-known,but for clarity, only the components, modules or structures needed todescribe the features of the present disclosure are described herein.The other wireless devices 204 ₁, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅, 204 ₆, 204 ₇ . .. 204 _(n) also be configured in a similar manner with the illustratedstructure of the wireless device 204 ₂.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the above-described modules1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, and 1012 of the wireless device 204 ₂ maybe implemented separately as suitable dedicated circuits. Further, themodules 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, and 1012 can also be implementedusing any number of dedicated circuits through functional combination orseparation. In some embodiments, the modules 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008,1010, and 1012 may be even combined in a single application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC). As an alternative software-basedimplementation, the wireless device 204 ₂ may comprise a memory 220 ₂, aprocessor 218 ₂ (including but not limited to a microprocessor, amicrocontroller or a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), etc.) and atransceiver 210 ₂. The memory 220 ₂ stores machine-readable program codeexecutable by the processor 218 ₂ to cause the wireless device 204 ₂ toperform the steps of the above-described method 900. It should beappreciated that the other wireless devices 204 ₁, 204 ₃, 204 ₄, 204 ₅,204 ₆, 204 ₇ . . . 204 _(n) can also be configured in a similar manneras the wireless device 204 ₂ to perform method 900.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of the term“exemplary” is used herein to mean “illustrative,” or “serving as anexample,” and is not intended to imply that a particular embodiment ispreferred over another or that a particular feature is essential.Likewise, the terms “first” and “second,” and similar terms, are usedsimply to distinguish one particular instance of an item or feature fromanother, and do not indicate a particular order or arrangement, unlessthe context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the term “step,” asused herein, is meant to be synonymous with “operation” or “action.” Anydescription herein of a sequence of steps does not imply that theseoperations must be carried out in a particular order, or even that theseoperations are carried out in any order at all, unless the context orthe details of the described operation clearly indicates otherwise.

Of course, the present disclosure may be carried out in other specificways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope andessential characteristics of the invention. One or more of the specificprocesses discussed above may be carried out in a cellular phone orother communications transceiver comprising one or more appropriatelyconfigured processing circuits, which may in some embodiments beembodied in one or more application-specific integrated circuits(ASICs). In some embodiments, these processing circuits may comprise oneor more microprocessors, microcontrollers, and/or digital signalprocessors programmed with appropriate software and/or firmware to carryout one or more of the operations described above, or variants thereof.In some embodiments, these processing circuits may comprise customizedhardware to carry out one or more of the functions described above. Thepresent embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive.

Although multiple embodiments of the present disclosure have beenillustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoingDetailed Description, it should be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed embodiments, but instead is also capable ofnumerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions withoutdeparting from the present disclosure that as has been set forth anddefined within the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mobile station configured to interactwith a radio access network (RAN) node, the mobile station comprising: aprocessor; and, a memory that stores processor-executable instructions,wherein the processor interfaces with the memory to execute theprocessor-executable instructions, whereby the mobile station uponwaking up to read its nominal paging group per its ExtendedDiscontinuous Receive Cycle (eDRX) cycle is operable to: receive, fromthe RAN node, an Extended Coverage (EC) Paging Request message whichcomprises at least the following: (i) a page mode field which includesinformation indicating one or more coverage classes for which one ormore EC Paging Request messages were available for transmission by theRAN node during a time interval but were not transmitted; and (ii) aused_downlink_coverage_class field which includes information indicatinga coverage class associated with one or more mobile stations addressedin the received EC Paging Request message.
 2. The mobile station ofclaim 1, wherein the mobile station is further operable to: read thecoverage class indicated in the used_downlink_coverage_class field todetermine whether the EC Paging Request message is potentially addressedto the mobile station or to some other mobile stations; based on thedetermination that the EC Paging Request message is potentiallyaddressed to the mobile station, read additional payload in the receivedEC Paging Request message; based on the determination that the EC PagingRequest message is addressed to some other mobile stations, read the oneor more coverage classes indicated by the page mode field to determinewhether an EC Paging Request message is pending for the coverage classof the mobile station but has not yet been transmitted by the RAN node;based on the determination that an EC Paging Request message is pendingfor the coverage class of the mobile station but has not yet beentransmitted by the RAN node, enable a paging extension process where themobile station is operable to: (i) use the coverage class indicated inthe used_downlink_coverage_class field to determine a remainder of thetime interval associated with the EC Paging Request message; and (ii)attempt to read the pending EC Paging Request message that was pendingafter the time interval; and based on the determination that an ECPaging Request message is not pending for the coverage class of themobile station, return back to sleep and wake up according to a nextinstance of a nominal paging group for the mobile station.
 3. The mobilestation of claim 1, wherein non-transmittal of the one or more EC PagingRequest messages that were available for transmission by the RAN nodeduring the time interval is due to the RAN node making paging messageprioritization decisions applicable to the time interval.
 4. The mobilestation of claim 1, wherein the mobile station upon receiving the ECPaging Request message utilizes information therein to determine thatthe EC Paging Request message is addressed to a different mobile stationand further determine that that there will be another paging opportunityoccurring thereafter which may contain a matching EC Paging Requestmessage.
 5. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein the mobile station isin extended coverage.
 6. A method in a mobile station configured tointeract with a radio access network (RAN) node, the method comprising:receiving, from the RAN node, an Extended Coverage (EC) Paging Requestmessage which comprises at least the following: (i) a page mode fieldwhich includes information indicating one or more coverage classes forwhich one or more EC Paging Request messages were available fortransmission by the RAN node during a time interval but were nottransmitted; and (ii) a used_downlink_coverage_class field whichincludes information indicating a coverage class associated with one ormore mobile stations addressed in the received EC Paging Requestmessage, and wherein the mobile station receives the EC Paging RequestMessage upon waking up to read a nominal paging group of the mobilestation per an Extended Discontinuous Receive Cycle (eDRX) cycle of themobile station.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: readingthe coverage class indicated in the used_downlink_coverage_class fieldto determine whether the EC Paging Request message is potentiallyaddressed to the mobile station or to some other mobile stations; basedon the determination that the EC Paging Request message is potentiallyaddressed to the mobile station, reading additional payload in thereceived EC Paging Request message; based on the determination that theEC Paging Request message is addressed to some other mobile stations,reading the one or more coverage classes indicated by the page modefield to determine whether an EC Paging Request message is pending forthe coverage class of the mobile station but has not yet beentransmitted by the RAN node; based on the determination that an ECPaging Request message is pending for the coverage class of the mobilestation but has not yet been transmitted by the RAN node, enabling apaging extension process where the mobile station performs the followingsteps: (i) using the coverage class indicated in theused_downlink_coverage_class field to determine a remainder of the timeinterval associated with the EC Paging Request message; and (ii)attempting to read the pending EC Paging Request message that waspending after the time interval; and based on the determination that anEC Paging Request message is not pending for the coverage class of themobile station, returning back to sleep and waking up according to anext instance of a nominal paging group for the mobile station.
 8. Themethod of claim 6, wherein non-transmittal of the one or more EC PagingRequest messages that were available for transmission by the RAN nodeduring the time interval is due to the RAN node making paging messageprioritization decisions applicable to the time interval.
 9. The methodof claim 6, wherein the mobile station upon receiving the EC PagingRequest message utilizes information therein to determine that the ECPaging Request message is addressed to a different mobile station andfurther determine that that there will be another paging opportunityoccurring thereafter which may contain a matching EC Paging Requestmessage.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the mobile station is inextended coverage.
 11. A mobile station configured to interact with aradio access network (RAN) node, the mobile station comprising: aprocessor; and, a memory that stores processor-executable instructions,wherein the processor interfaces with the memory to execute theprocessor-executable instructions, whereby the mobile station attemptingto find a response matching its last transmitted EC PACKET CHANNELREQUEST message is operable to: receive, from the RAN node, an ExtendedCoverage (EC) Immediate Assignment message which comprises at least thefollowing: (i) a page mode field which includes information indicatingone or more coverage classes for which one or more EC Paging Requestmessages were available for transmission by the RAN node during a timeinterval but were not transmitted; and (ii) aused_downlink_coverage_class field which includes information indicatinga coverage class associated with one or more mobile stations addressedin the received EC Immediate Assignment message.
 12. The mobile stationof claim 11, wherein non-transmittal of the one or more EC PagingRequest messages that were available for transmission by the RAN nodeduring the time interval is due to the RAN node making paging messageprioritization decisions applicable to the time interval.
 13. The mobilestation of claim 11, wherein the mobile station upon receiving the ECImmediate Assignment message utilizes information therein to determinethat the EC Immediate Assignment message is addressed to a differentmobile station and further determine to continue to search for amatching EC Immediate Assignment message.
 14. The mobile station ofclaim 11, wherein the mobile station is in extended coverage.
 15. Amethod in a mobile station configured to interact with a radio accessnetwork (RAN) node, the method comprising: receiving, from the RAN node,an Extended Coverage (EC) Immediate Assignment message which comprisesat least the following: (i) a page mode field which includes informationindicating one or more coverage classes for which one or more EC PagingRequest messages were available for transmission by the RAN node duringa time interval but were not transmitted; and (ii) aused_downlink_coverage_class field which includes information indicatinga coverage class associated with one or more mobile stations addressedin the received EC Immediate Assignment message, whereby the mobilestation receives the EC Immediate Assignment Message while attempting tofind a response matching its last transmitted EC PACKET CHANNEL REQUESTmessage.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein non-transmittal of the oneor more EC Paging Request messages that were available for transmissionby the RAN node during the time interval is due to the RAN node makingpaging message prioritization decisions applicable to the time interval.17. The method of claim 15, wherein the mobile station upon receivingthe EC Immediate Assignment message utilizes information therein todetermine that the EC Immediate Assignment message is addressed to adifferent mobile station and further determine to continue to search fora matching EC Immediate Assignment message.
 18. The method of claim 15,wherein the mobile station is in extended coverage.